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| In early 1846 United States troops under the command
of Gen. Zachary Taylor marched into the disputed territory between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande and
constructed a defensive position across from Matamoros. The temporary fort was originally called Fort Texas but
was renamed Fort Brown a short time later, in honor of Maj. Jacob Brown, who died during a Mexican attack on the
stronghold. On April 25, 1846, a skirmish occurred between United States and Mexican troops at Las Rucias (Las
Rusias), in southwest Cameron County, which became known as the spot where "American blood was shed on American
soil," the verbal spark that ignited the Mexican War. Two other Mexican War battles were fought in Cameron
County, the battle of Palo Alto (May 8, 1846) and the battle of Resaca de la Palma (May 9, 1846). |
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On February 12, 1848, the Texas legislature decreed the existence of Cameron County, and with the
signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo on July 4 the area officially became part of
the United States. The new county encompassed 3,308 square miles, including parts of the future Hidalgo, Willacy,
Kenedy, and Brooks counties.
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An election of county officers
was held on August 7, but organization was not completed until September 11. Santa Rita, five miles downstream
from Fort Brown and believed to be the earliest English-speaking town in the area, was made the county seat. The
same year Charles Stillman established Brownsville just west of Fort Brown. In December another election was held,
and after intense effort on Stillman's part Brownsville was chosen county seat.
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Cameron County is named for Captain Ewen Cameron, a soldier during the Texas Revolution
and in the ill fated Mier Expedition. He was executed by a special order from General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.
Cities and towns
and Unincorporated areas
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Arroyo Alto
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Lasana
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Arroyo Colorado Estates
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Laureles
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Arroyo Gardens-La Tina Ranch
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Los Fresnos
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Bayview
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Los Indios
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Bixby
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Lozano
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Bluetown-Iglesia Antigua
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Olmito
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Brownsville
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Palm Valley
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Cameron Park
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Port Isabel
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Chula Vista-Orason
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Primera
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Combes
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Rancho Viejo
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Del Mar Heights
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Rangerville
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El Camino Angosto
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Ratamosa
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Encantada-Ranchito El Calaboz
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Reid Hope King
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Grand Acres
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Rio Hondo
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Green Valley Farms
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San Benito
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Harlingen
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San Pedro
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Indian Lake
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Santa Maria
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La Feria
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Santa Rosa
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La Feria North
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Solis
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La Paloma
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South Padre Island
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Lago
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South Point
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Laguna Heights
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Tierra Bonita
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Laguna Vista
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Villa del Sol
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Las Palmas-Juarez
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Villa Pancho
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Yznaga
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ONLINE DATA
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State Bird
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